Uterine Artery Embolization

Treatment of Fibroid – Conservative Options

In this section I will discuss two options. These are not offered in our clinic but do exist and we can guide you to specialist in these procedures.

Both methods need specialist from different fields and patient selection is important.

Uterine Artery Embolization(UAE) / Uterine Fibroid Embolization

This procedure is done by a radiologist. They will make a tiny incision in the groin and insert a catheter into the femoral artery, it is then guided up to the uterine artery and then the blood vessels that supply blood to the fibroid are blocked. Once the blood supply is blocked the fibroids will shrink over time.

This procedure is ideal for those who have a single medium sized fibroid. It cannot be done for those women who would like to have children in the future.

The results of the procedure, recurrence, need for further treatment and surgery are best discussed by the specialist.

MR Guided Focused Ultrasound

MR Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) or High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HiFU) is a modern modality of treatment again offered by radiologist. It uses high intensity focused ultrasonic waves under the guidance of magnetic resonance imaging to ablate the fibroid.

This does not need hospitalization and anaesthesia but it needs multiple sittings.

The pros and cons of this method are best discussed with the specialist providing this treatment modality.

What is Uterine Artery Embolization?

Uterine artery embolization (UAE), is a minimally invasive, uterus sparing procedure and an alternative to surgery for women who have symptoms from fibroids or adenomyosis.

It is an out-patient/one-day procedure performed by an interventional radiologist (IR) who has specialized experience with blood vessel imaging.
The procedure involves a tiny incision in the wrist or the groin. Through the incision and with the help of imaging a small catheter is guided into the vessels that supply blood to the fibroid.
Then small particles called microspheres, are released into the vessel, and they block the targeted arteries and deprive the fibroid of its blood supply.
The fibroids will then decrease in size. There is considerable improvement in the symptoms such as bleeding pressure and pain and in the size of the fibroids.

The procedure is ideal for single or multiple fibroids, and for large fibroids.